Boss: Coutinho is still searching for consistency

Philippe Coutinho's current search for consistency is an understandable consequence of the Liverpool forward's injury earlier this season, according to Jürgen Klopp.

The influential Brazilian was sidelined for more than a month due to an ankle issue sustained against Sunderland at Anfield in late November.

Since making a return for the Reds in the New Year, Coutinho has not always been able to produce the level of performance that was on show before his enforced absence.

But as Liverpool prepare to face Manchester City this Sunday – a side against whom the No.10 has regularly been a significant threat since joining the club – the manager explained why the situation is natural.

“That’s the life of an outstanding good football player like Phil,” said Klopp at his pre-match press conference.

“The influence of him on the game is really big. If he is not at 100 per cent, you miss something, that’s how it is. But two weeks ago we played Arsenal and he did really well.

“Yes, Burnley again was not the best game, but he misses in this moment – which is pretty normal after a long injury – this kind of consistency.

“But the training week so far was perfect, he presented himself really [well]; it was fluent, confident and looked really well. There are always steps in this direction. Sometimes it works. It’s about, in this moment, consistency. But he is in a really good way.”